RAUTAHAT, Aug 8: Continuous rainfall in the Chure range has significantly increased the level of water in two rivers of Rautahat. The rivers have started eroding the agricultural land near their embankments, creating panic among the locals residing near the river banks.

The rising level of water in the Bagmati River in the east and Lal Bakaiya in the west has started eroding the lands in five settlements. The people living in flood-prone areas like Badharwa of Bhagwati Rural Municipality, Hajariya of Sarlahi, Tejapakad of Paroha Municipality, Maryadapur of Baudhimai Municipality and Laxminiya of Fatuwa Bijayapur Rural Municipality are having sleepless nights.

More than 50% of the locals of Badharwa live in the eastern side of the Bagmati River. With the rise in water level, the swollen river has started rapidly eroding land near the embankment. So far, no efforts have been taken to control the flood. Arun Kumar Sah, chairperson of Durga Bhagwati Rural Municipality informed Republica that the responsible authorities have been made aware about the situation but they have been citing financial problems to assist the villagers.

Raj Kumar Srivastav, chief of Water Induced Disaster and River Control Division Office informed that the government authorities lack enough budget but are still trying to find a solution to the problem by coordinating with the local units. A technical team has already been deployed in the flood-prone areas to study the risk of flood, claimed Srivastav.

Meanwhile, a separate technical team has been deployed in various parts of Paroha, Baudhimai, Fatuwa, Bijayapur along with 20,000 sandbags to mitigate the risk of flood originated from Lal Bakaiya.

Shekh Jamil Akhtar of Paroha laments that it will not take much time for the river to enter the settlements as it has already reached near the embankment.

"The locals are unable to sleep due to the fear of flood," he said. Govinda Prasad Rijal, chief district officer of Rautahat, as well as the chairperson of the District Disaster Management Committee informed Republica that efforts are underway to mitigate the risk of flood in various parts of the district.